Well, a very reliable source just confirmed EXCLUSIVELY to Reality Tea that the recently reported RHONJ salaries are not true! In fact – they're totally off base.

"All 5 RHONJ cast members, Teresa, Melissa, Caroline, Jacqueline and Kathy made the same amount this season – $600k. That wasn't always the case but for season 5 they are all on the same salary," our source shares.

CONTINUE READING FOR THE REST OF OUR EXCLUSIVE!

If you recall, Jacqueline Laurita supposedly only made $275,000. Unable to ever keep quiet about anything, she immediately took to twitter to blast the story as untrue! If Jacqueline is earning so much money why can't she pay her mortgage or taxes?

As always, the season's extras make considerably less – as do first season housewives. "Kim D, as a friend of the Housewives is getting $40k, last year she got $20k," the source reveals. "Jennifer Dalton got hardly anything (less than Kim D) and Penny [Karagiorgis] got nothing from Bravo."

The most shocking reveal is that Kathy Wakile, aka The Invisible Woman, is earning the same amount as veterans and big drama-bringers like Melissa Gorga! Apparently Kathy owes it all to a contract loop hole, which is not making the network very happy. Our translation: She's as good as fired next season!

"Kathy getting the same salary as the other housewives is not something that Bravo was thrilled with but she had a 'Favored Nations' clause in her contract," our source explains. "They don't pay her sister Rosie [Pierri], but she and Richie are the only things that make Kathy have a somewhat decent storyline."

As for Teresa's salary, the source reveals that although she is unhappy earning the same as her co-stars she desperately needs the money! And here's why:

"Teresa may love the stories saying she is the highest paid housewife on the series but it isn't true and you'll see this season that she desperately needs the Bravo paycheck, which is the only real money she makes as Joe Giudice doesn't contribute financially and their legal fees are only getting bigger." Joe, if you recall, refuses to take a plea deal related to his identity fraud case and is headed to trial soon!

"Teresa was not happy about making the same amount as the other cast members, but she needs the show to promote her products so she had to sign the contract," our source adds.

"She uses the show to help promote her brands as they all do, but it doesn't always translate into success or yield a profit. Fabellini was dropped by the original partner Brotherhood Winery for lack of sales and now Teresa is going it alone (that's why she had to create a new label, which you will see this season)."

Additionally many of Teresa's other products are simply endorsement deals. "Milania Haircare is a partnership with Jerel James that doesn't have real retail distribution beyond small regional salons."

"The book advance is the only other real income Teresa gets, which is between $200 – $250k per book now minus agent fees and her co-author Heather's (Teresa's co-author) fees."

Outside of the show, Teresa who is busy building a lifestyle brand, relies on her cookbooks as the family's main income generator. She reportedly has a workout DVD happening and is currently marketing a prepared foods line. She is still hoping to secure a food/lifestyle based spinoff.

All the Housewives get paid extra for endorsement deals and bonuses, as well.